Airless inner tube.



C. B. CRUZEN.

AIRLESS INNER TUBE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 15, 191B.

Patented Dec. 10, 1918.

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AIBLESS INNER TUBE.

Specification a Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 10, 1918.

Application filed April 15, 1918. Serial No. 228,716.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL B. CBUZEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Havre, in the county of Hill and State of Montana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Airless Inner Tubes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in cushion tires and the principal object of the invention is to provide spring means for replacing the pneumatic inner tube of automobile tires.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tubular casing made from a plurality of leaf springs connected to a central web and a coiled spring engaging with each leafspring.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple and durable in construction, reliable and efiicient in operation and one which can be manufactured and placed upon the market at a minimum cost.

The invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrat'ed in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a lan view of the sheet metal blank from WhlCll the springs are formed.

Fig. 3 is a cross section of the invention attached to a wheel.

As will be seen from the drawing the device forming the subject matter of my invention is to take the place of the ordinary inner tube. The sheet metal springs are formed from the blank shown in Fig. 2 which consists of the web 1 which extends longitudinally and circumferentially with respect to the wheel rim and the spring leaves 2 and 3 extend from opposite sides thereof. These spring leaves are alternatively arranged so that'when bent over as shown in Fig. 1 they form alternate sections in alinement with each other in the direction of the length-of said web. The web is also provided with short projections 4 and 5 extending into the spaces between the spring leaves and these projections are adapted to be bent upwardly to over-lap the free ends of the spring leaves.

6 indicates a coil spring engaging with each spring leaf and having its ends suitably seated on the web and on the center part of the spring. In this manner the coil springs serve to increase the resistance of the movement of the spring leaves due to the weight of the automobile. I prefer to form said spring leaves wider at the central parts than at their ends so that when the web is curved the edges of said springs will lie close together.

The spring tube may be used with the ordinary casing or shoe indicated at 7 and secured to the wheel by any suitable type of rim. I prefer to place a lining 8 over the spring tube to prevent the same from injuring the casing. I

It will thus be seen that the spring leaves will work independently of each other and their resistance is increased by the coil springs. The tube will be practically as resilient as the ordinary rubber tube filled with air, while doin away with the disadvantages of such tribe being punctured or cut b the rim.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make such changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is A tubular metal tire comprising a longitudinal web at its inner circumference, spring leaves extending in opposite directions f: m said web and curved in opposite directions and projections on the web located in the spaces between said spring leaves and having their ends overlapping the ends of said leaves.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

. CARL B. CRUZEN. 

